Yes, I just did research for da blog.
Moving on to my journey from Montmarte to the Arc de Triumph. I wandered down some streets for about 45 minutes until I hit the Champs de Elyssee. I think it will win for most beautiful street. Oh yeah, I decided I am handing out awards at the end of my trip... best hostel, most beautiful building, favorite river etc. All the trees are covered in christmas tree lights, however they do not light them up at night, much to my dismay. I think its not in season right now or something. I walked up until I saw the Arc de Triumph. This lovely monument is surrounded by the circle of death, more commonly called a rotary or traffic circle.
View from Sidewalk
You actually have to use an underground tunnel to get to the Arc. I was very happy about this, considering I had narrowly avoided getting hit by cars, bikes, buses and trams for the past month and a half and was not looking forward to traversing the circle of death. Inside the arc, a lot of cities of France are listed and I spotted Toulouse! It was really beautiful, but I was ready to move on to the Eiffel Tower.
I walked for about 30 minutes and suddenly it was in view. I sort of had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't having a really vivid dream and imagining that I was backpacking through Europe and was now in Paris, in front of the Eiffel Tower. It is a great view there overlooking the river and a Palace of sorts. Of course, there are one million shady guys trying to sell you the tower in mini form or keychain form. Annoying. Oh hey, pretty lady, one euro. No thanks pal. (Well, I may have bought a few, they are 5 for 1 euro after all).
Yes, I am aware that the foreigner that took this, did not get the whole Eiffel tower. Oy.
Next I grabbed lunch at my favorite French (chain) cafe, Brioche Duree and ate lunch on a bench on the Champs de Elysee. I walked it off for about 45 minutes down the street to the Louvre. Wow, that place is huge. It's by far the most intimidating museum I have ever seen. I was saving it for Thursday so I proceeded to walk down the river towards Notre Dame.
You can see Saint Chapelle and Notre Dame if you look really close. They are somewhat in the middle.
There are a lot of vendors selling posters and postcards and old book along this section of the river, including very cool Moulin Rouge poster. 3 for 5 euro, I'm sold. When I finally got to Notre Dame, the outside was very intriguing because I had seen it in pictures and in a certain Disney Movie (that was the them of my 5th [?] birthday). When I went inside though, that's when I fell in love. It is simpler than some of the other churches. The altar is not elaborate and it is not the biggest church that I have seen. The stain glass is amazing. The whole feel to the church is simply different, I can't even explain it and pictures cannot do it justice. Typically, I cannot spend more than 20-30 minutes in the churches, because they do blend together after awhile. I was in Notre Dame, taking pictures, sitting and writing in my journal for an hour. I would have stayed if I didn't have more on the agenda. Notre Dame was Paris and my first kiss. (If you haven't noticed my little relationship-Paris parallel, you will now).
Outside
Inside
Next, I tried very hard to find Saint Chapelle. I will warn travelers to Paris that it is inside the Justice Palace place gates and the door is not really clearly marked. Of course, there was a concert there and it was closed for set up at 4:30. I guess I hit my sightseeing limit for the dia and decided to head back to the hostel. This included a two hour walk, partly because its about 4 miles away and also because I tend to get distracted.
More to come...
XO
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